The newsletter summarizes the recent meeting of the St. Petersburg - Downtown Optimist Club. It discusses that Gardner is having computer issues so Sharon will take over newsletter duties temporarily. It provides details on the guest speaker, Chief Robert Bassett from the St. Petersburg Fire Department, who discussed the fire department's organization and community programs. Upcoming club events are also announced such as fundraising for an Easter egg hunt and volunteering at Ronald McDonald House.

1. Downtown Optimist Club Newsletter
A periodic newsletter of the St. Petersburg - Downtown Optimist Club
North Florida District, Zone 9, Club #60447
MARCH 16, 2010
Editor: E. Gardner Harshman, telephone 592-0243 or email: gharshman@tampabay.rr.com
Happy St. Patricks Day...
Everyone at the meeting heard about Gardner’s problem with his
computer. He has asked Sharon to take over the job in the interim. Sharon
is a newsletter award winner from years past.
Today’
Today’s meeting at Tick Tock…
Tock…
Our guest speaker was Division Chief Did you know:
Robert Bassett of the St. Petersburg Fire The city offers inspections of
Department. Chief Bassett spoke about infant and child care seats for
the city’s fire department organization proper installation and usage?
and their efforts for education and public The city responds to nearly
services available to the community. 40,000 EMS calls per year?
The city offers Juvenile
Firesetters Intervention Program
Chief Robert Bassett that may be able to help curb a
juveniles undesirable behavior?
The average response time for
medical assistance is 4 minutes
and 30 seconds?
The Prevention Division
coordinates a home safety
program that includes providing
installation assistance of smoke
detectors?

2. reminders…
Upcoming event reminders…
Scott is still accepting money donations, plastic eggs,
candy, stuffed toys or whatever you would like to donate
for the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3rd.
We will be feeding the Ronald McDonald house for our second
meeting on April 20th. Be there by 5:30 pm or as soon as you
can to assist with set up and serving. Judy will be procuring
hams. Other food opportunities and assignments will be
forthcoming.
news…
Other news…
Scott covered the Largo High School’s Golf Tournament which
is coming up soon. He asked the club to sponsor a hole at a
cost of $100. The Board meeting following the regular meeting
approved the expenditure.
Gardner briefly mentioned the Police and Kids
Foundation in Pinellas Park. Sgt. Tracey
Schofield was our guest speaker in February and
told us of the program. Sgt. Schoefield walked 200
miles across Florida for charity.
Their website www.policeandkids.com is up and
running and any financial support would be
appreciated.

3. news…
Other news…
Jim & Jane Ridings, Moonie & Gardner and Vi & Chuck will make a
visitation to Sarasota Suncoast Club meeting on Thursday evening,
March 25th. Any others who wish to go are more than welcome. We’ve
been promising Harry a visitation for a year and we're finally going to
make it. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm and will be at Moms Amish
Restaurant located at 1247 Beneva Road in Sarasota.
Our next meeting at the Tick Tock will be April 6th. I believe this is the
meeting that Tyler Hurley will attend. Tyler won the CCDHH contest
here and at District Level and will receive the $2,500 scholarship.
Gardner found out he has a problem with the date set for "Respect for
Law" program. He had set the date of Friday May 8th, however it
conflicts with First Friday for Breakfast Club. He is looking into changing
the date to Saturday, May 9th. The new date will be announced as soon
as it has been confirmed.
Drawing…
50/50 Drawing…is up to $500
Scott was the winner of the 50/50 but failed to
locate the Joker. Instead he drew the Five of
Hearts.
Birthdays…
Birthdays…
March 27 - Vi Hayworth
I know not what the future holds,
but I know who holds the future.
~Author Unknown

4. Downtown Optimist Club of St. Petersburg
3558 100th Terrace
Pinellas Park, FL 33782-4100
The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself -
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the
presence of trouble.
CLUB OFFICERS DIRECTORS
President Gardner Harshman. . . . . . . . . . . 592-0243 Jim Sirrianna (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392-2718
Vice Pres. Scott Kaplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535-6939 Viki Pena (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421-3721
Vice Pres. Vi Hayworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527-2656 Chuck Hayworth (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .527-2656
Sec/Treas. Lee Warnock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577-7159 Jean Rutan (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143
Sgt-At-Arms Jim Sirrianna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392-2718 Rick Rutan (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143
Chaplin Rick Rutan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .522-6143 Judy Warnock (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458-8278
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Oratorical Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
Essay Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jean Rutan
Programs/Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Rutan
Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vi Hayworth/Viki Pena
Poster Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jean Rutan
O.I. Foundation Rep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Ridings
Respect for Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gardner Harshman
Youth Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
New Community Dev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
Get Away Raffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Easter Egg Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott Kaplan
Bell Ringing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
First Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Warnock